October 22, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues Atlanta Business and Executive Over Delinquent Employee Contributions to Profit Sharing Plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Atlanta, Georgia - The U.S. Department of Labor sued Atlanta-based Clarion Resources Communication and its owner for failure to remit or timely forward employee contributions to the company’s profit sharing plan, resulting in $13,280.91 in losses to the plan.

October 21, 2004

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Stronger Retirement, Health Benefit Security for American Workers - 121% Increase in Monetary Results Shows “Commitment to Protect Hard-Earned Benefits”

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Employee Benefits Security Administration achieved a record-breaking 121% increase in enforcement results that protected $3.1 billion in retirement, health and other benefits for American workers and their families in fiscal year 2004.

October 20, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Awards $18.65 Million in Grants in FY 2004 To Battle Adult and Child Trafficking Around the World

WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced $18.65 million in grants to combat human trafficking around the world. The overall amount includes $3.75 million awarded to three non-government organizations to implement anti-trafficking projects in Brazil, Cambodia, Moldova, and Sierra Leone, and $14.9 million to combat trafficking of children for exploitative labor in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.

October 20, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Awards $9 Million Grant to International Labor Organization to Fight HIV/AIDS in the Workplace

WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced a $9 million grant to the International Labor Organization (ILO) to implement workplace-based HIV/AIDS programs around the world.

In addition to being a serious health issue, HIV/AIDS is also an economic issue, said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. Because the rate of infection is highest among the working-age population, this disease has a significant impact on the worldwide labor force.

October 20, 2004

Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Kicks Off 6th Annual Disability Mentoring Day

WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao officially kicked off the 6th annual Disability Mentoring Day by delivering the keynote address at the department's ceremony today.

Disability Mentoring Day is an opportunity for young people with disabilities to gain firsthand exposure to the many career options available to them, Secretary Chao said. It increases awareness among employers and the public that people with disabilities are a highly talented and largely untapped resource.

October 19, 2004

ERISA Advisory Council to Hold October Teleconferences

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - The three working groups of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans will convene via teleconference October 27-29, 2004, at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC to conduct final discussions on the report and recommendations to be submitted to the Secretary of Labor.

October 19, 2004

Owner of Defunct Michigan Company Sued to Recover Employee Health Premium Payments

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Detroit, Michigan - The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the owner of defunct American Tool & Mold Inc. of St. Joseph, Michigan, to recover employee contributions that he failed to forward to the company’s health plan.

October 19, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Severe Storms and Flooding Hit Minnesota

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Chicago, Illinois - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to damages from severe storms and flooding in Minnesota.

October 19, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Tropical Depression Ivan Hits New Jersey

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to storm damages from tropical depression Ivan in New Jersey.

October 19, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Tropical Depression Ivan Hits New York

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

New York, New York - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to storm damages from tropical depression Ivan in New York.

October 19, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Tropical Storm Frances Hits South Carolina

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Atlanta, Georgia - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to damages from tropical storm Frances in South Carolina.

October 18, 2004

GovBenefits.gov Joins Aaron, Ruth and Bonds by
Scoring 712 Benefit Programs
-

WASHINGTON — As baseball excitement soars with the start of the playoffs, the San Francisco Giants' unsecured playoff spot has halted Barry Bonds' home run battle for another season, but his record stands among the few truly elite who have reached 700 home runs—Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and GovBenefits.gov. GovBenefits.gov hasn't been around as long as those legendary sluggers, but this website's 712 federal and state benefit programs are a home run for all citizens.

October 18, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues Owners of Defunct Kansas Company Over Delinquent Employee Contributions and Loan Repayments

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Kansas City, Kansas - The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the owners of defunct Gazlay Marketing Group, Inc. of Kansas City, Kansas, for failure to forward $23,205.96 in employee contributions and loan repayments to the company’s 401(k) plan.

October 18, 2004

Media Advisory - “Getting It Right” - New Compliance Assistance Seminar for Plan Fiduciaries

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Seattle, Washington - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) compliance assistance seminar, “Getting It Right – Know Your Fiduciary Responsibilities,” will take place in Seattle, Washington on November 9, 2004 at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66.

October 15, 2004

DisabilityInfo.Gov Celebrates Second Year of Operation
With Almost 3.5 Million Visitors

WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today hailed the 2nd anniversary of DisabilityInfo.gov—a comprehensive web site with one-stop access to governmental disability informationas an example of President George W. Bush's deep commitment to making government easily accessible to all Americans.

October 13, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues 401(k) Trustee of Defunct Alabama Company Over Delinquent Employee Contributions

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Birmingham, Alabama - The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the trustee of the 401(k) plan of defunct Southeast Microserv Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama, for failure to forward $9,799.87 in employee contributions and to timely forward contributions deducted from employees’ paychecks to the plan.

October 8, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Hurricane Jeanne Hits Florida

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to storm damages from Hurricane Jeanne in Florida.

October 7, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sponsors Workshops To Help Benefit Professionals Comply With Federal Pension Law

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

October 6, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues Trustees of Union Health Plan For Over Payment of Administrative Services

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Newark, New Jersey - The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the trustees and service providers to the H.E.R.E. Local 4-69 Health Fund in Secaucus, New Jersey, for misusing plan assets to pay excessive and unreasonable compensation for services provided to the health fund, resulting in losses to the fund in excess of $2 million.

October 6, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Hurricane Jeanne Hits Puerto Rico

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to damages from Hurricane Jeanne in Puerto Rico.